Ullman Jackson Fortenberry

Ullman Jackson Fortenberry, 88, Haleyville passed away on Sept. 16, 2010 after and extended illness. He ws preceded in death by parents, Flonnie Carter Fortenberry and Jeff Tyler Fortenberry; brothers, Horace Fortenberry, HC Fortenberry and sister Theresa Fortenberry. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Billie Fortenberry, and their two daughters, Donna McCreary (Marc), Carol Phillips (Duke) of Florence, AL. His grandchildren, Ashli Smith, Ami Ross, Alison Gengelbach, Katie Schomberg, Leah McCreary, Andrew Phillips; and nine great grandchildren. Mr. Fortenberry was an outstanding athelete, received a football scholarship to Springhill Hill College in Mobile, AL. in 1940 and enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1942 as a Private. He was assigned to the Army Air Corps Aircraft Mechanical School in Gulfport, MS. Afterwars, he applied for pilot training and was assigned to the Western Flying Training Command. In February 1944, he was awarded Pilots Wings and 2nd Lt. Bars at Advanced Flying School in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. After B-17 transition at Rosewell, New Mexico and crew training at Gulfport, MS., he was assigned to the 15th Air Force as First Pilot on a B-17 and Flight Commander in the 463rd Bomb Group, 774th Squadron. He was stationed in Foggia, Italy from December 1944 to October 1945. He completed 37 high altitude bombing combat missions over Germany. In April of 1945, the United States responded to his extraordinary service by stating, "Because of the leadership throughout many combat missions against highly important and stragetic enemy installations, Lt. Fortenberry has demonstrated the highest order of professional skill, heroism, leadership and devotion to duty. Although regularly and frequently opposed by large numbers of enemy fighters, together with intense, accurate and heavy anti-aircraft fire during wnich their aircraft were at times seriously damaged, he fought through the targets and aided in the destruction of these vital objectives. Despite severe and adverse weather conditions, rugged terrain and many other major obstacles and hazards, his group gallantly engaged, fought and defeated the enemy without regard for their own personal safety and against great odds. Their extraordinary achievements throughout these many missions against the enemy have been of inestimable value to successsful combat operations and have reflected great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States of America." For his extraordinary achievement, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. At the end of the war, he was assigned to the "Green Project" trandporting homebound troops from Naples to Casablanca, other decorations include: Air Medal with Cluster, Presidential Unit Citation, Russia Commemorative Medal, European Theatre of Operations Medal with 4 Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, World War II Medal and Amercian Campaign Medal. He was the last remaing WWII airman in Haleyville, AL. Mr. Fortenberry retired from Illinois Central Railroad as an Engineer after 43 years. He was an Amateur Radio Operator under the call sign of W4GKO since 1958. He served as a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Haleyville. He was inducted into the Winston County Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and was named Haleyville Alumnus of the Year in 2000. He was a leifetime member of the VFW with over 62 years of membership in the American Legion Post No. 33 in Haleyville. He met daily with a "Coffee Group" for 17 years, collected trains and minature planes and used Amateur Radio to patch calls for missionaries and seviceman throughout the world. He will be remembered as a loving husband, adoring father and grandfather and a loyal friend. He was brave, sweet, funny talented, sincere, honest, kind, brilliantly intelligent, true American hero. The family wished to express their heartfelt thanks to the Nortwest Alabama Cancer Center and the nurses at Helen Keller Hospital.

Ullman Jackson Fortenberry

May 3, 1922 - September 16, 2010

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Ullman Jackson Fortenberry

May 3, 1922 - September 16, 2010

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Grief & Healing

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